Classic Sri Lanka - 10 Days

Classic Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is a magical island off the southern tip of India. This tour introduces you to the country from the bustling metropolis of Colombo to miles of uncluttered sandy beaches, caressed by gentle ocean breezes. Inland, frothing waterfalls tumble from mist shrouded peaks. It is not just tourist sites to be visited, there are wayside markets, handicraft shops and batik factories to be explored.

Kandy - best time to visit is March and April when the mountain views are brilliant.

Dambulla - Minneriya National Park - Best months to visit August to October and watch the elephants bathing in the river

Enjoy a refreshing King Coconut after your climb up the Sigiriya Lions Rock

Pluck your own tea leaves from the tea plantations in Nuwara Eliya

Day 1

Day 01: Arrive Colombo

Colombo to Negombo

Arrive at Colombo’s International Airport. Following customs, immigration formalities and baggage collection, you will be met by a representative and transferred to Negombo.

Overnight Hotel BB

Day 2

Day 02: Negombo

Breakfast is at the hotel, morning is at leisure. In the afternoon do a brief City tour of Colombo. The throbbing metropolis, Colombo - located in the West - is not only the country's capital, but also the turbine that impels above 50% of the national GDP flanking Colombo's fancy urban development effort. Drive along the streets edging the crystal white Race Course - horse racing hub in 1893 & World War II airstrip - furnished today with lavish clothing, food & tea boutiques. Meanwhile, ride to Pettah & tune into the Floating Market - an offbeat shopping experience - or feel the buzz surrounding the upcoming inspiration, the Colombo Port City - an offshore city - featuring parks, commercial complexes & even an F1 track! Head along Bauddhaloka Mawatha towards 'Arcade' facing a historic waypost, the Independence Square. Every designer boutique, top-notch cuisine outlet and even the 'walk-over fish tank', have revamped this colonial masterpiece into one of the trendiest shopping and hangout zones in Sri Lanka.

Overnight Hotel BD

Day 3

Day 03: Negombo to Sigiriya

After breakfast proceed to Sigiriya (approx. 4.5 hrs)

Sigiriya is perhaps Sri Lanka's single most dramatic sight. Near-vertical walls soar to a flat-topped summit that contains the ruins of an ancient civilisation, thought to be once the epicentre of the short-lived kingdom of Kassapa, and there are spellbinding vistas across mist-wrapped forests in the early morning. Sigiriya refuses to reveal its secrets easily, and you'll have to climb a series of vertiginous staircases attached to sheer walls to reach the top. On the way you'll pass a series of quite remarkable frescoes and a pair of colossal lion's paws carved into the bedrock. The surrounding landscape – lily-pad-covered moats, water gardens and quiet shrines – and the excellent site museum, only add to Sigiriya's rock-star appeal. Transfer from Sigiriya Rock Fortress to Hotel.

Overnight Hotel BD

Day 4

Day 04: Sigiriya - Polonnaruwa - Minneriya National Park - Sigiriya

After breakfast proceed for excursion to Polonnaruwa (approx. 1 hrs drive one way).

Raising with the decline of Anuradhapura, the city of Polonnaruwa - medieval capital & crown jewel of

paintings are done along walls that shelter 150 statues of Lord Buddha. As you enter the retreat look

straight up to the gigantic Buddha statue glittering in gold over a land which today houses an important

junction in the country's economic and cultural uplifting.

Transfer from Dambulla to Matale.

Stop by the side of a spice garden - into which you will be most welcome - and observe the therapeutic

values of spices & processes over a refreshing cup of herbal tea! Or spend some time idling on the

hardened streets if you mean a real town adventure filled with voices and colours.

After lunch proceed to Kandy.

Optional: Enroute visit Pinnawala.

As you enter the 25-acre coconut property, do not be surprised to witness baby elephants moving around freely causing absolutely no harm to anyone. It is rightly a sincere sight to observe how these gentle giants - orphaned and sometimes three-legged - are taken care of since 1975 at Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage. Up to date, over 20 calves have been born here, and it is surprising to hear that some of its inmates have even seen their grandchildren during the past few decades!

After lunch proceed to Kandy.

Kandy - the World Heritage Site & last royal capital of Sri Lankan kings - crafts an array of culture, history and heritage in the minds of visitors across the globe. Experience an ancient Kandyan legacy engraved around its crown jewel, the temple of the sacred tooth relic of Lord Buddha. A stroll across this small lakeside town - cradled among the misty hills - will feature the Kandy City Centre - bundled with the latest world class brands, bazaar, an arts & crafts centre, as well as a gem museum & lapidary. Fine tune your evening by stepping to the beat of traditional music & drumming amplified by a cultural show (optional extra) enhancing the rich and vibrant culture of the Wonder of Asia, Sri Lanka. Transfer to the Hotel.

Overnight Hotel BD

Day 6

Day 06: Kandy

Day at leisure

Optional Tour: Visit the sacred temple of the tooth relic.

When King Wimaladharmasuriya I (1592-1604 A.D.) became King in Kandy, he searched for the Tooth Relic and the bowl Relic of the Buddha and found that it was kept at the Delgomuwa. Buddhist Temple at Kuruwita, for more than 44 years, hidden in a grinding stone, The King had gone there personally and brought the Sacred Tooth Relic to Kandy in a procession accompanied by the King. The first Temple of the Tooth Relic was constructed by Wimaladharmasooriya-I to house it next to the Royal Palace. The Portuguese burned down the 2-floored building and King Wimaladharma sooriya II (1687-1707) erected a 3-storied building to house the Sacred Tooth Relic. It was burnt down once again and a new 2-storied building was constructed by King Narendra singhe (1707 - 739 A.D.) and what we see today may be the building constructed by him. He also painted 32 Jataka Stories on the outer walls of the building. In addition to the 3 daily “poojas” 4 annual festivals are held at the Temple of the Tooth Relic.

Overnight Hotel BD

Day 7

Day 07: Kandy - Nuwara Eliya

After breakfast proceed to Nuwara Eliya via Tea Plantations. Visit a tea plantation and a tea factory, where the best tea in the world is produced. Here you could observe all about the process of manufacturing tea. You can also see how tea is graded. Taste a cup of pure Ceylon tea in the factory. Transfer from Tea Plantation to Nuwara Eliya. Visit Nuwara Eliya. Nuwara Eliya, because of its invigorating mountain climate and scenery, is Sri Lankas most popular hill resort. Nuwara Eliya is also the heart of Sri Lankas tea country producing a significant share of the worlds’ best tea. Sri Lanka s highest mountain Pidurutalagala (8282 feet) is located here. Nuwara Eliya also has one of the finest 18 hole golf courses in South Asia.

Overnight Hotel BD

Day 8

Day 08: Nuwara Eliya

Proceed early morning with a packed breakfast to Horton Plains National park.

Optional Tour: Engage in a half day trekking at the Horton Plains National Park.

HORTON PLAINS NATIONAL PARK– 20 miles (32 km) from Nuwara Eliya via Ambewela and Pattipola, is the Horton Plains only 3160 hectares in extent. Known to Sri Lankans as Mahaeliya, it became Horton Plains after Sir Robert Horton, British Governor from 1831- 1837. Horton Plains became a Nature Reserve in 1969 and upgraded as a National Park in 1988 due to its unique watershed and bio-diversity values. Its flora has high level of endemism. The hills are covered with diverse wet low evergreen forest with even large trees grown flattened to the ground on the higher windswept slopes. Horton Plains harbours 52 species of resident birds and 11 species of migrant birds. More than 2,000 to 3,000 Sambhur, Bear Monkey, Leopard, Barking Deer, Giant Squirrel, Fishing Cat, Wild Boar and Hares roam in the forests and grasslands but only seldom they could be seen other than the Sambhur in the evening and morning.

Overnight Hotel BD

Day 9

Day 09: Nuwara Eliya - Colombo

Proceed to Colombo through a very scenic landscape. On the way you will pass Kitulgala – the place where the movie The Bridge on the River Kwai was filmed. Upon arrival, check in at hotel.

Overnight Hotel BD

Day 10

Day 10: Depart Colombo

After breakfast, proceed to Airport in time to connect with your Departure flight.

From $3,620 per person sharing

Accommodation on twin sharing / single occupancy at the hotels mentioned above / similar

Meal Plan:

Buffet Breakfast & Dinner at all the hotels

Lunch at Priyamali Gedara on Day 04

Logistics:

Transport in an air-conditioned vehicle with the services of an English-Speaking

Chauffeur cum Guide for the full duration of the tour

Guided visits and excursions:

Colombo City Tour

Sigiriya Rock Fortress

Ancient City of Polonnaruwa

Minneriya National Park (01 Jeep Safari)

Dambulla Cave Temple

Spice Garden Visit

Kandy City Tour

Tea Factory Visit

Nuwara Eliya City Tour

Complimentary Amenities:

Welcome gift pouch

Flower Garlands/ Sheaf on arrival

Daily supply of mineral water during transfers and sightseeing

VAT (Value Added Tax) & Nation Building Tax

IMPORTANT NOTES:

Kindly note that check in time to all hotels will be at 1400hrs and check out is at 1200 noon.

All above hotel rates are subjected to revision as and when government taxes are revised,

when respective hotel managements revise rates or due to any currency fluctuations

experienced at a given time.

Bars, Clubs or similar entertainment is prohibited during “Poya” Days. As such liquor will not

be served in public areas of the hotels during this time.

The above-mentioned hotels will only be confirmed on availability at the time of booking if booked above allocation during the specified time periods. In such an event, suitable alternatives will be suggested prior to confirmation.

Museums, Schools etc. will be closed during Public Holidays and Poya Holidays